Vol. 8, Issue 4, Part F (2023)

Author(s): Jagpal Jogi, Mahesh Datt, Manish Kumar Duria and Rinku Choudhary

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to find the effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder on mortality of Kuroiler chicks. Total one hundred and twenty, day old Kuroiler chicks were used on a completely randomized design in four treatments with three replicates comprising of 10 chicks in each. T1 (control) had standard ration as per BIS 2007; T2 ration was supplemented with 5g Ashwagandha root powder /kg feed; T3 ration was supplemented with 10g Ashwagandha powder /kg feed and T4 ration was supplemented with 15g Ashwagandha powder /kg feed. The chicks were reared in brooder house under standard management practices from day-old to 56 days of age. For further analysis, chick’s feed consumption and body weight were noted at weekly intervals. T3 group had the highest benefit cost ratio (1.81), followed by T2 (1.78), T1 (1.71), and T4 (1.58). The mortality throughout the experimental period of 8 weeks was 5.83% shown that the supplementation of Ashwagandha as a feed additive has not shown any significant effect on mortality rate of Kuroiler chicks. From this study it can be concluded that Kuroiler chicks supplemented with 10g Ashwagandha root powder/ kg feed may perform well in terms of economic benefits.